Gary Waddell

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Gary Waddell
Born1952 (age 73–74)
Carlton, Victoria, Australia
OccupationActor
Years active1974–present
Notable workPure Shit (1975)
The King is Dead! (2012)
Children1 (daughter)

Gary Waddell is an Australian film and television actor.

Career

Waddell appeared in the 1975 drama film Pure Shit, receiving an AFI Award for his portrayal of Lou,[1] a drug addict.[2] The film was initially banned, but was subsequently released with an "R" rating, provided the title was changed from Pure Shit to Pure S.[3]

He also appeared alongside Bruce Spence in 1976 cult film Oz: A Rock’n’Roll Road Movie, playing the part of the cowardly biker (The Lion).[4] The film was an Australian reimagining of classic tale The Wizard of Oz, marketed towards a mid-1970s youth audience.[5]

The following year, Waddell had a role in The FJ Holden (1977) with Sigrid Thornton.[6] Further film credits from this era include 1978 film In Search of Anna, with Chris Haywood and Bill Hunter,[7] and 1980 prison drama Stir (1980), opposite Bryan Brown and Max Phipps.[8]

Wadell later had a role in 2000 crime film Chopper, where he played Kevin Darcy[9] opposite Eric Bana in his award-winning portrayal of Mark ‘Chopper’ Read.[10] His subsequent film credits include Dirty Deeds (2002) with Bryan Brown,[11] Gettin' Square (2003) alongside Sam Worthington and David Wenham.[12] and 2002 political drama Black and White with Colin Friels, Charles Dance and Robert Carlyle.[13]

In 2002, Wadell was nominated for an Australian Film Institute (AFI) Award for Best Actor in a Supporting or Guest Role in a Television Drama, for his role as Steve McClure in an episode of Bad Cop, Bad Cop.[14][2] He was later nominated for the 2012 AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, for portraying the neighbour from hell in Rolf de Heer’s 2012 comedy drama film The King is Dead!.[15][2] The following year, he featured the film Charlie's Country, as Gaz[16]

In 2014, Wadell appeared opposite Bryan Brown and Sam Neill in the eight-part drama series Old School.[17]

Wadell more recently had a role in 2022 psychological crime thriller The Stranger opposite Joel Edgerton and Sean Harris.[18]

Personal life

Waddell's partner is Lou Morris, with whom he has a daughter. The couple moved to Bangalow from Sydney in 2013, after their daughter competed her university studies and moved out of home.[17]

Awards

Year Work Award Category Result Ref.
1975Pure ShitAFI AwardWon[1]
2002Bad Cop, Bad Cop (Episode 8: "Yesterday's Zero")Australian Film Institute AwardBest Actor in a Supporting or Guest Role in a Television DramaNominated[14]
2012The King is Dead!AACTA AwardAACTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting RoleNominated[15]
2013Australian Film Critics Award (AFCA)Best Supporting ActorWon[19]

Filmography

Television

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1977BlueyTerry Baxter / Davidson2 episodes
1978Cop ShopHarry Dunne1 episode
1983Scales of JusticeJimmyMiniseries, 1 episode
1986The Blue LightningHennesseyTV movie[20]
1987The Facts of Life Down UnderHugoTV movie[21]
1988True BelieversMiniseries, 2 episodes
1992E StreetBill O'Reilly1 episode
1992–1994G.P.Wayne / Rocco2 episodes
1993Seven Deadly SinsMiniseries, 1 episode
1994HeartlandLennieMiniseries
Cody: The TipoffMackTV movie
1996–2000Water RatsBilly Pope / Tom Haxby3 episodes
1998Blue HeelersMike Thompson1 episode
1998–2004StingersGerry Gallagher / Frank Mornain2 episodes
2001SeaChangeForeman2 episodes
All SaintsMacca1 episode
2002Bad Cop, Bad CopSteve McClure2 episodes[17]
2006Two TwistedJimmy KitchenMiniseries, 1 episode
2007Joanne Lees: Murder in the OutbackVinceTV movie[22]
Chandon PicturesDean2 episodes
2007–2009Home and AwayTerry Mitchell4 episodes
2008ScorchedNickTV movie
Infamous Victory: Ben Chifley’s Battle for CoalUnion LeaderTV movie
2009A Model Daughter: The Killing of Caroline ByrneMick BruvetteTV movie
2010–2016RakeEpis / Harley3 episodes
2011City HomicideBruno Lilley1 episode
Killing TimeAnthony Farrell1 episode
2014Old SchoolKen1 episode[17]
Lessons from the GraveBarry BrownSeason 1, 1 episode[23]
2020UprightWeary1 episode[24]

Films

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1975Pure ShitLou[1]
1976OzGuitarist / Bikie[4]
1977The FJ HoldenDeadlegs[6]
Blue Fire LadyCharlie[25]
1978In Search of AnnaMaxie[7]
1980StirDave[8]
1982HeatwaveFlorist messenger[26]
The Highest HonorCpl. R.B. Fletcher[27]
Monkey GripActor 3[28]
1988Grievous Bodily HarmEddie Weaks[29]
Breaking LooseCop[30]
1989TripeSonny JimShort film[30]
The Killing of Angelo TsakosShort film[31]
1991Sweet TalkerBluey[32]
1992Prey of the ChameleonNewscaster
1993Shotgun WeddingNighclub spruiker[33]
1996Dr. IceNewscaster
1997Heaven's BurningMotel Manager[34]
Maslin BeachBen[35]
1999FreezeShort film[36]
2000ChopperKevin Darcy[9]
2002Black and WhiteConstable Jones[13]
Dirty DeedsFreddie[11]
2003Gettin' SquareDennis Obst[12]
Lennie Cahill Shoots ThroughTerry[37]
2005Man-ThingCajun Pilot[38]
The PropositionOfficer Davenport[39]
TrappedSmithShort film
2007AlmostCharlie
2008Shot OpenShort film[40]
Night TrainShort film
2010Kissing PointFrank BoothShort film
2012The King is Dead!King[15]
2013Charlie's CountryGaz[16]
2014Blood Pulls a GunJethro HyamShort film[41]
ButcherbirdHandsomeShort film
2016The Tail JobThe Wharfie
2022The StrangerWA Head[18]
The Survival of KindnessSick Man[42]

Theatre

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1974The Sports Show / The Migrant Show / The Owl and the Pussycat ShowMelbourne with APG[43]
1977Sadie and NecoLa Mama, Melbourne[43]
Laughing Bantam: Revival[43]
1981Teeth 'n' SmilesInchNimrod Theatre, Sydney[43]
1996TerminusRed Shed Theatre, Adelaide[43]
2000The Marriage of FigaroSydney Opera House with Company B Belvoir[43][44]

References

  1. Buckmaster, Luke (21 June 2015), "Pure Shit rewatched – a see-it-to-believe-it classic, beset by off-screen debauchery", The Guardian
  2. "Long live the King: Gary Waddell's colourful on and off screen life". crikey.com.au. 20 July 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  3. Pike, Andrew; Cooper, Ross (1998), Australian Film 1900–1977: A Guide to Feature Film Production, Oxford University Press, p. 291
  4. Safran, John (14 August 2022), "'It's stressing me just remembering': how a tiny Australian film became a spectacular flop", The Guardian, retrieved 27 March 2026
  5. Byrnes, Paul. "Oz – A Rock 'n' Roll Road Movie (1976)". Australian Screen. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  6. "The FJ Holden (1977)". Australian Screen. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  7. Byrnes, Paul. "In Search of Anna (1978)". Australian Screen. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  8. Byrnes, Paul. "Stir (1980)". Australian Screen. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  9. Dave (27 December 2021). "[FILM REVIEW] CHOPPER Review (2000)". subcultureentertainment.com. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  10. Hoff, Brad (7 April 2001). "Film Screening: Chopper". ANU Film Group. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  11. "Dirty Deeds (2002)". Australian Screen. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  12. "Gettin' Square (2003)". Australian Screen. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  13. Byrnes, Paul. "Black and White (2002)". Australian Screen. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  14. "Australian Film Institute Awards: 2002". www.australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  15. Swift, Brendan (4 December 2012), "The AACTA Awards Nominations Are In", Inside Film
  16. "Charlie's Country – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  17. Thordern (11 October 2013). "He made a leap from Sydney to Bangalow". AusStage. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  18. "The Stranger – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  19. "6th Auscritic Awards – 2013". auscritic.com. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  20. "The Blue Lightning – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  21. "The Facts of Life Down Under – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  22. "Murder in the Outback (2007)". moriareviews.com. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  23. "Lessons from the Grave: episode guide". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  24. "Upright: Series 1, Episode 7". comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  25. "Blue Fire Lady – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  26. "Heatwave – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  27. "The Highest Honor – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  28. "Monkey Grip – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  29. "Grievous Bodily Harm – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  30. "Breaking Loose – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  31. "The Killing of Angelo Tsakos 1989". Screen Australia. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  32. "Sweet Talker – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  33. "Shotgun Wedding – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  34. "Heaven's Burning – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  35. "Maslin Beach – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  36. "Freeze 1999". Screen Australia. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  37. "Lennie Cahill Shoots Through – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  38. "Man-Thing – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  39. "The Proposition – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  40. "Shot Open 2008". Screen Australia. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  41. "Blood Pulls a Gun (2014)". mcgregorcasting.com. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  42. "The Survival of Kindness". Astor Theatre. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  43. "Gary Waddell". AusStage. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  44. Woods, Mark (28 August 2000). "The Marriage of Figaro". Variety. Retrieved 27 March 2026.